Gender dimensions of war and displacement: Experiences of refugees from the Central African Republic in Cameroon

abstract

Ensuring that planned processes, programmes and interventions recognise that the underlying inequalities and differential needs of women and men are still impeded by the failure to apply gender considerations, thereby perpetuating inequality, is vital in the refugee crisis plaguing the international community. The current trend of literature on refugees is mostly slanted to the growing number of refugees and policy towards the refugee population worldwide. Little attention is paid to the gender gaps in the daily experiences encountered by male and female refugees. This article emanates from a research study that examined gender issues in the management of refugees from the Central African Republic at the Lolo refugee camp in Cameroon’s East Region. It assesses the adequacy of the provision of services and programmes in ensuring durable solutions that can address the differential needs of male and female refugees and helping them overcome their challenges. Data for this qualitative study was collected through focus group discussions, interviews, and participant observation. Findings revealed that despite the efforts made by organisations working with refugees, most of the services are inadequate and gender dynamics are not adequately factored into the management of refugees. There is clear evidence of voiceless, powerless women who are under the spell of the strong hold of culture. It is expected that this study will serve as a reference document for international organisations working in the field of refugee management and protection, to consider making gender a critical variable in their programmes and services for refugee protection. It is suggested that there is a need for a feminist approach to humanitarian aid.

keywords:

• gender dimension
• war
• displacement
• refugee
• management

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Noella Epie

NOELLA EPIE is a PhD candidate at the United Nations University for Peace, Ethiopia. She holds a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of Buea, Cameroon, and a Bachelor of Science in Women and Gender Studies and Law from the same university. She is a women’s rights activist who is passionate about women’s issues, especially within the peace and security context, working towards prevention of conflict-related sexual violence. She has about a decade of experience working in humanitarian response programming from Cameroon, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and currently the Central African Republic. Email: [email protected]

Joyce Bayande Epsé Mbongo Endeley

JOYCE BAYANDE EPSÉ MBONGO ENDELEY is Commissioner and Vice-President of the Sub-commission for Promotion of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission, with a mandate to promote and protect human rights culture and prevent torture, and to support a gender focal point. She is a Professor of Agricultural Extension Education & Gender Studies with over 30 years of professional experience and competence in teaching, research and community service at university (especially the University of Buea) and community level inside and outside of Cameroon. She supervises doctoral and master’s students, and her publications include journal articles, book chapters and books. Email: [email protected]